The Washington critic., 1887-12-31
KIRAM'S B0ARDERS.
by CAROLINE +. PRESTON.

considerable sum of it. As an instance
of his economy, he had worn the same
blue coat with brass buttons for ten
years, to church and to muster and
there was considerable probability Of
its having to serve for as much longer.
Hiram was n bachelor. He considered
wife an expensive luxury, from which
he abstained from economical motives.
In the course of time however, Hiram
came to take different view of the mat
ter. He read somewhere that it was a
saving to be married, rs the work that
wife would do would more than pay the
expenses of her board and clothing.
On reflection, Hiram considered that,
under his circumstances, this was q
consideration of some Importance.
j "Besidcs," thought he, I'VE might
profitable il you don't keep 'em too
well. I've heard that Aunt Jane Doo-
little made thousand dollars clear in
one year from keeping boarders. And
all the labor comes on the wimmen
folks. too. | guess / must be married"
Mr.. Appleton decided, on the whole,
TO marry widow.
We give his reasons in his own words
at stands to reason" he soliloquized,
"that widow must have more expert
ence about household matters than one
who hasn't been married. Now, one
that isn't experienced is very apt to
waste things, and it takes y good deal Of
time to teach 'em better. Now n widows
already broken into the ways of house
hold. ] must be on the lookout for
widow"
Mr.. Hiram Appleton, accordingly, be-
gan to look about him.
Just at this time there came into town
certain Widow Jones. on visit to a
relation.
As Mr.. Appleton was well acquainted
at the house where she was visiting, he
soon found it in his way to "call round"
The widow was sitting in the "keep-
ing-room" with Mrs. FELTON,, her rela-
tion.
"Mr. Appleton" said the latter, ''let
me introduce to you NV cousin, Mrs.
Jones'"
Hiram bowed.
wonder whether she's widow"
he thought to himself.
When Mrs. FELTON, accompanied him
to the door, he ventured TO make the
Ayes" said Mrs. FELTON,, cher husband
died two years since"
"You see, Mrs. Felton," said Hiram
In business-like tone, "I've been
thinking of getting married. think,
on the whole, 1t would be good policy.
guess shorli prefer smart, indus
trious, economical widow, if j could
hear of one anywhere"
"Then," said Mrs. FELTON,, 81 am
quite sure that my cousin would suit
YOU. She's Us industrious Il creetur as
ms you ever saw. Always has work in
her hand"
'There's one thing I want to know
about" said Hiram anxiously. SIS she
fond OF dress? don't know much
about 1t, but I've heard that some VIM
men spend q sight on their dress. Now
can't stand that, anyhow. ] calc'late
that my wife--if | ever have any
shall dress decent; but as to silk dresses,
and gold chains, and such, they won't
come out of me.
Mrs. FELTON, assured the inquirer that
no one could be more simple in her
tastes than her cousin-an assurance
which gratihee Mr.. Appleton exceed
"You needn't tell her what I've been
saying" said Hiram. "I'll come in
again two or three times, and see how
like her ways, and, If do, I'll propose
pretty quick"
you'd better" said Mrs. FELTON,,
"for there's no knowing how soon
somebody else may pick her up"
Instead of regarding Hram's injunc.
tion, Mrs. FELTON, straightway commu
nicated the substance of the conference
to the widow.
Now it so happened, for reasons which
will appear, that the widow was by nc
means indisposed to second marriage,
and, on hearing that Hiram was II man
of property, she concluded to 'set her
cap for him."
''You must appear to be very indus.
trious ,.send economical" said Mrs
Felton. "He laid particular stress on
that"
'Don't fear for me-" said her cousin.
TT takes Il widow to manage the men.
When Hiram made his second call
.he widow Jones was arrayed in u very
plain calico, which, nj the utmost, could
not have cost more than ninepence pei
yard. a-@
"You must excuse the plainncss oi
my dress, Mr.. Appleton said she
''but don't approve of rich dresses
a calico is Just as warm us n silk; or, ai
any rate, there isn't much difference
and there is great deal Of difference il
the price"
Hiram was delighted.
"You're sensible woman, Mrs
Jones, SAID ne. on We gOl sou
above the majority of your sexs'
THANK you, Mr.. Appleton" said the
widow demurely. ~ don't take N,
credit TO myself for it. It's natural t,
me. II makes me sick to see how fonG
most women are of tlummery, and put
ting all they can earn on their back"
'"rhat's fact" said Hiram. "rhat'i
lust the effect it has on me. Now, Mrs
Jones'" this he said in confidential
tone, chow long do you think | hay,
made this coat do for best?"
Mrs. Jones couldn't possibly tell.
Its lasted ten years" said Hiram
with becoming pride. ''ren years, anC
itsa good coat vet"
$50 itis,p said the widow, "and com
mend jIyoiir. prudence. Mr.. Appleton
how long do you think il is since
bought this dress?" =
Hiram ventured to.guess give years.
"You're wrong" said the widow
shaking her head. 81 had il just twelv,
years ago, come spring"
Mrs. Jones did not think il necessar,
to mention that, although 1t had beef
bought at that time, il had been cas-
asae some len years since, and had onl.